Subcutaneous, solid implants are an emerging drug delivery system with special manufacturing needs when going from powder to ready-for-packaging product. In order to deliver the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) safely and with a constant dissolution rate, a very homogeneous product with extremely tight tolerances in geometry is required. And when automating an implant manufacturing line, it becomes even more critical to assure consistent API/excipient compounding and to maintain precise quality specifications. Let us show you how.

Advantages of drug delivery systems

The active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) can be released where it is needed most, reducing the required dose and helping reduce the drug's side effects

The drug doesn't need to be administered as often, increasing the acceptance of new delivery systems

Biodegradable materials can often be used in the manufacture of the delivery system, eliminating the need to remove implants

Pharma mini Implant Line

This production line offers the opportunity to develop and manufacture implants in a fully automated and continuous process. This line uses a programmable logic controller (PLC) from material feed through to the final quality control of the implant size, including documentation such as batch report and audit trail.

A container with a containment valve for pre-blended material is connected to the gravimetric feeding system, enabling operator-safe handling and high accuracy in the feed rate. The Pharma mini HME Micro-Compounder produces a strand with a small diameter tolerance (±0.005% to 0.05% depending on mechanical parameters of the compounds used). A laser sensor delivers data to control the strand diameter very precisely by adjusting the conveyor speed. Based on this data, the strand is cut to meet the length specifications of the implant. An automated sorting device assures that any out-of-specifications (OOS) implants are rejected and collected away from the in-spec implants.

SteriCUT take-off and cutting device: an accessory to existing extruders

As an accessory to the extruder, this self-contained down-stream equipment can be operated independent from the extruder control. It makes a perfect supplement to an extruder if fully automated production is not necessary or if the implant project is still in an R&D phase.

Depending on the required throughput and implant size, two versions are available:

The SteriCUT-1 device can produce up to 7,000 implants per hour with variable lengths (5–25 mm) and diameters (1–1.8 mm). Its small footprint makes it an ideal add-on to the Pharma mini HME Micro-Compounder.

Larger implants and larger throughputs can be produced using the Pharma 16 Twin-Screw Extruder and the SteriCUT-1200 C device. The co-rotating, parallel twin-screws allow compounding of API and excipients as well as manufacturing of implants in a one-step process.

See the Pharma mini Implant Line in action

The Pharma mini Implant Line is a unique solution for the complete process of developing and producing injectable drug delivery systems. The precise automation with integrated quality control and documentation helps enable a fast, efficient development-to-production process.